"Right away, as a reaction, I was going to get his hands off my throat," Medina told New Times. "He took me to the station. He said, 'You're getting a ticket for assaulting an officer.' After he had me in there, he said he was going to give me a disorderly conduct citation."

Ultimately, the Guadalupe Municipal Court dismissed the case at the request of the prosecutor after Medina agreed to pay court costs and restitution.

Another incident occurred last fall when an MCSO deputy, gun drawn, allegedly entered the house of a resident, searched for a suspect, and ultimately kicked down the door to a child's bedroom. Those familiar with the search, which did not net a suspect, said the MCSO refused to pay for the broken door.

Mordicai Sulk

Mordicai Sulk

One more example took place a few years ago and was videotaped by a foreign camera crew on a ride-along with MCSO deputies. A relative of one of those arrested showed the video to New Times on the condition that the names of those in it not be published.

In the video, three deputies pull over three teens in a car with a cracked tail light. The stop occurs in front of the teens' home. As deputies question the 15-year-old driver (who'd been driving the car without a license), the grandmother of the teens approaches and asks what's going on. She's told that the 15-year-old is being questioned. The grandmother goes to wait with a 16-year-old passenger (her granddaughter), who is now standing next to the car.

Suddenly, for no apparent reason, a deputy grabs the 16-year-old's arm and pulls her. The grandmother reaches out, almost instinctively, to her granddaughter. Another deputy takes hold of the grandmother from behind and slams her against the hood of the car. Both the teen and her grandmother are arrested. The deputy drags the teen to the back of a patrol car, and then admonishes her grandmother.

"Why are you arresting me?" asks the grandmother. "I've never been arrested before."

The deputy snarls, "You're going to jail! You don't come out and interfere with me."

Lieutenant Shepherd said he has never seen the video but is aware it exists. Questioned about the overreaction captured on videotape, he continued to defend his deputies, alleging that it was actually the grandmother who overreacted by "jumping on the deputy."

However, in the videotape, the grandmother does not jump on anyone.

Many residents accuse the MCSO of hassling residents who are partaking in traditional Yaqui ceremonies.

"When we have our wakes at home, when somebody dies here, everybody here is doing things traditional," said Ismael Osuna, a Yaqui member of the Guadalupe Public Safety Committee. "There've been some incidents where sheriff's deputies have gone in thinking it's a party and disrespecting people. They aren't trained about our culture."

As Councilwoman Patty Jimenez pointed out, whether coming from Yaqui or Mexican American residents, the town's grumblings about the MCSO cannot be dismissed as the complaints of a few.

"Guadalupe's a small town," said Jimenez, cousin of Mayor Rebecca Jimenez. "Many of us are related somehow. And it just seems like every family has a story about the service that the sheriff's department has given us. It's just not very good service."

Since Mayor Jimenez stood up to Arpaio in a televised argument that can be watched online in Channel 12's video archives, she's been lionized by those opposing the sheriff and demonized by those supporting him. In countless e-mails, she has been chastised and praised.

"You stupid broad," e-mailed Jim Webb. "When are you and the rest of those dumb shits down there going to wise up? You are worse than a bunch of god dam [sic] communists. If you like these invaders so much, why don't you move to Mexico and take as many as these dregs as you can carry."

Other e-mailers called her a "fat pig," and one warned that Guadalupe is "doomed" to Biblical destruction.

"I shall read your newspapers in six months to see if any of you is still alive," warned Melody Lavers.

Nolan Phillip spewed this electronic insult: "Screw the wetback town of Guadalupe! I wouldn't buy a stick of gum in your trash town."

But Jimenez has earned her share of laurels, even in the wake of a recent incident in which she was pulled over by an MCSO deputy in Guadalupe and cited for an inoperable headlight, as well as for not having proof of registration and insurance.

Commenting on Jimenez's April 3 defiance of the sheriff, Lydia Guzman of Respect/Respeto gave the mayor high points:

"I thought the mayor was heroic. If I'd had an ability to make a Superman suit, I would have made one for her right there.

"You know, it takes a lot of guts to stand up to the sheriff," she continued. "The guy is rude. Even for folks who have all their talking points in order, it's hard to get into a shouting match with someone who doesn't know what the hell he's talking about. What she did, is say, 'Not in my town, and not on my watch.' I don't think he had anyone [ever] stand up to him that way. Bravo for her."

"In Arizona, they came first for the Mexicans, And I didn�t speak up because I wasn�t a Mexican; And then they came for the Dark Skinned, And I didn�t speak up because I wasn�t Dark Skinned; And then . . . they came for me . . . And by that time there was no one left to speak up."

The Sonoran News is a disgusting rag that doesn't even allow for comments. Thats why one of their racist writers dumps her trash Article in a comment section of another paper. That is about as low as one can sink. Even more interesting is that reporter hasn't been to Guadalpe. Not durring the disgusting raids that were so well writen about by the New Times (they were there)

The Sonoran News is a disgusting rag that doesn't even allow for comments. Thats why one of their racist writers dumps her trash Article in a comment section of another paper. That is about as low as one can sink. Even more interesting is that reporter hasn't been to Guadalpe. Not durring the disgusting raids that were so well writen about by the New Times (they were there)

It looks like The Sonoran News is so hard up for readers that they have to Copy/Paste their crap on a New Times blog in hopes that someone will read it. Does any sane person really think that anyone has Judges "fix" fix-it tickets?Only the Nativists when it's The Mayor of Guadalupe. Lets just hope that Sonorans investigative journalists dont find an actual copy of that 3rd grade note Rebecca's math teacher took or all hell will break loose.

Guess the Sonoran Not News' Linda Bonehead ("Real Facts"?) reads the New Times. It's rumored she's working on a hard hitting follow up which includes the following "facts" about Mayor Jimenez:

1)At age 6, the young criminal Rebecca Jimenez stole -- that's right, stole! -- a cupcake from her aunt's table and was imprisoned in her room for the entire rest of the day, having to go to bed without her supper.

2) Age 9, the notorious criminal Rebacca Jimenez passed a note in math class telling classmate Jessica Alvarez that she thought the boy next to her was cute. Math teacher Linda Periwinkle intercepted the note and read it before the entire class causing the criminal Jimenez enormous embarassment.

3) Age 14, notorious criminal Rebecca Jimenez stayed home from school for one entire week due to a bout with acne that temporarily made her cheeks look like the face of the moon. During that time, her mom told the school that her daughter was actually suffering from the flu. Because of this egregious and criminal act, the Sonoran Not News is researching to see if Jimenez's mom can be stripped of her American citizenship, and Jimenez retroactively placed in a foster home with white parents despite her current age of 36.

The crimes just keep stacking up! First loose dogs, now this. Good work L. Bonehead. Your Pulitzer's in the mail along with your sheepskin from Stanford.

GUADALUPE � In the one-square-mile town of Guadalupe, which has apopulation of about 5,500, approximately 72.3 percent are Latino (60.7percent Mexican), 48.5 percent are American Indian, 1.3 percent areblack and 1.5 percent are white.In that sea of 5,500 residents, roughly 80 are people without color.According to Guadalupe Mayor Rebecca Jimenez, the town is adual-cultural community, those cultures being Yaqui and/or of Mexicandescent. Jimenez accused deputies from Maricopa County Sheriff'sOffice of treating victims "as if they are criminals" and said wordtravels fast in the close-knit community "about the insensitive andeven abusive behavior of the deputies when they interact with our people."Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, white apologist to the illegal aliencommunity, jumped into the fray proclaiming Guadalupe's crime rateranked near the bottom compared to the rest of the Valley and saidGuadalupe had only one violent crime last month.Jimenez and Gordon called Arpaio's crime suppression sweeps racialprofiling aimed at illegal aliens.When 98.5 percent of the population is comprised of people ofcolor, the chances are exceedingly high whomever MCSO pulls over willbe a person of color.After Jimenez announced she doesn't want MCSO doing crimesuppression operations in her town, Arpaio sent her a 180-day noticeto terminate their contract with the town.District Commander Tim Campbell, who has worked the Guadalupe beatfor 30 years, was surprised by Gordon's statement and said, "I don'tknow where Mayor Gordon gets those statistics. They're completelyinaccurate and frankly they're offensive to the 65 deputies who workout in the east valley."According to Campbell, Guadalupe is a very violent community andduring the months of January, February and March, there were 13stabbings and shootings, citing "That's a lot of violence for onesquare mile."As far as MCSO is concerned, the city of Phoenix is more thanwelcome to take over the contract.Campbell told Gordon his statements have caused major problems fordeputies working in Guadalupe, with people pointing, calling themnames and flipping them the finger.Stating Guadalupe is "a hostile environment" and has always been adifficult place to work, Campbell said "because of baseless inaccuratecomments by Mayor Gordon and Mayor Jimenez, it's now become a verydangerous place for our deputies to work."Jimenez said, even before being appointed mayor in December 2007,she's had "several encounters with deputies that illustrate theignorance and prejudice of the sheriff's deputies."The ignorance seemed to be on the other foot a couple of weeks agowhen Jimenez was pulled over for driving at night with only oneoperational headlight.After the deputy informed her as to why he pulled her over,Jimenez asked, "Is there a town code or something that allows you topull me over for only having one working headlight?"Deputy Brown responded, "Yes, ma'am, there is actually an Arizonastatute that allows me to conduct a traffic stop on vehicles with onlyone operating headlight."Although she was driving with a broken headlight and had no proofof insurance or registration with her, Jimenez claimed the trafficstop was Arpaio's way of retaliating against her and asked the deputyhow he "liked working for a sheriff who racially profiles againstpeople with brown skin.""I continued to remain silent," wrote Brown in his narrative ofthe traffic stop.When Brown attempted to explain the citation he was about to giveJimenez, she interrupted and said, "You already told me that youpulled me over for my headlight, I'll just have to go to Judge Meltonand take care of it �"As soon as the ticket was filed, Guadalupe Municipal Court JudgeRobert Melton wisely recused himself and transferred the citation toanother jurisdiction.Jimenez, who has a criminal record that spans about a decade, hasbeen cited at least seven times since 1997 for dog at large on apublic street and/or failure to license dog.In 2004 she pled guilty to dog at large in a public street and wasfined $95.That same year she charged with disorderly conduct and criminaldamage. In a plea agreement, Jimenez pled guilty to the disorderlyconduct charge and was fined $555.In 2005, after pleading guilty to dog at large in a public street,with the failure to license dog and unlawful keeping of dog chargesdismissed, Jimenez paid her fine with a bounced check.While Anna Gaines reported the recall effort against Mayor PhilGordon was going really well, there were citizens in Guadalupe callingfor Jimenez to resign.Toni Campoi, who served on the Guadalupe Town Council in 1995, hasattended every council meeting since Jimenez was appointed lastDecember. She says Jimenez is rude to fellow council members as wellas to citizens in the audience.According to Campoi, because Jimenez was appointed rather thanelected, she can't be recalled and there are three members of councilwho "got in with less than five votes."There is apparently a recall effort against Guadalupe CouncilwomanPatricia Jimenez, a cousin of Mayor Jimenez.Last but not least, Gov. Janet Napolitano openly admitted her openborders agenda by announcing state funds would no longer be given toMCSO for fighting illegal immigration. She said Arpaio's crimesuppression sweeps were "causing trepidation in the illegal immigrantcommunity."That triggered citizens of Arizona and other states to donatemoney to MCSO so Arpaio can keep it up.

First I want to say that while Arapio's actions are incredibly racist, they are also illegal. You cannot sit and wait for a crime to exist. This is why police cars must be marked to catch you for speeding. We've all watched police shows (I'm saying this as most middle class Americans only get their brush with crime from t.v.)were evidence is thrown out because the officer obtained information about a crime under false pretenses. It is not a crime to drive down the street, but Arapio's raid made it a crime. That is police state mentallity and should be freightening to all of us, no matter how you stand on illegal immigration. It's a direct violation of your constiutional rights. Next, I want to address the burden that so many people claim that illegal immigration is. Complaining about it being on your tax dollars is a little outrageous, a bit of research will tell you much more of your tax money goes to elected officals and the business that support them than to any social service, whether or not they "deserve" it. Complain about how many elected officals live at a much higher standard of living than you do, on entirely your tax dollars rather than the Mexican who is cleaning up someone's yard who lives in a shack with 15 other family members. Most illegals do pay social security to have a job here, and it's actually your benefit if they stay illegal, more money for the government. Secondly, that whole burden to the educational system is frustrating. Due to the latest laws that have gone into effect, many illegals are leaving the state, pulling their childern out of schools. Many of the school districts are facing huge budget cuts due to the loss of enrollment, cuts that have been made at the school level will effect all the legal childern left.When it's in someone's interest to play on humanity's xenophobia for votes, one is reminded of a certain Nazi dictator who did the same.

The Sonoran Snotrag? That piece of shit racist right-wing fishwrap up in KKKave KKKreeKKK? So what if it's now licking Joe's hole? So other newspapers are supposed to do likewise? I don't think so.

Joe's no shoe in. By every poll out there, he's got a little over 60 percent. Not the 80 percent he lies about all the time. He's not invincible. And if he is reelected, that makes it that much more important that the New Times continue to expose his corruption.

If you want to pitch a tent for Joe, Omar, go right ahead. Pardon the rest of us who decline to go gay for the guy.

You write, "Sources have informed New Times that the FBI has an agent investigating Arpaio and the MCSO for civil rights violations." Just who might the "sources" be? The FBI is notoriously tight-lipped about discussing its investigations. The FBI only rarely gets involved in matters involving politicians and needs the OK from Washington HQ to do so. Why is New Times so cranked up about an elected official doing his duty as he sees fit? Even Arpaio's long-time enemy Sonoran News has made peace with him. Like him or not, Arpaio is going to run and be reelected to office. If New Times has an issue with Arpaio, I submit the newspaper should take the matter up with voters. If New Times doesn't agree with the voters' decision, tough luck! ~

I figured that not everyone would like what I had to say, but it is a valid point of view. As is the true patriot's. In response however, I would like to say that I am not my ancestors, and the choices they made, and the things they did are not my fault. I was born in America and whether you like it or not, it is my home as well as yours. Now, you feel the same way about illegals making this their home and why not-- Viva La Reconquista! My problem is not with illegals living on "American land", my problem is with the major burden that such illegals are putting on our healthcare system and our education system. I feel that the "victory" (more appropriately defeat) at the Alamo was as much as an atrocity as what happened at Wounded Knee. Yet, we are not there. We live in the "now". And, I worry that the America of now can not adequately handle such large numbers crossing its borders. I am merely a concerned citizen, who wishes to focus on the "now" and the "future"- things we can actually exert an influence on. You, True Patriot, appear to be more focused on your rage regarding things that happened long ago- things that I had no part in; things that none of us can change now. I think it would be more beneficial if we approached current events with a desire to do what's best for our ountry's future, instead of getting caught up on the past. I'm o.k. with us differing in our opinions on things, I just don't see how calling me a Bitch is going to help matters.

"The type of people who would abandon their own country and have no respect for the laws of the country they wish to make their new home, are not the type of people I want to be my fellow Americans."

"The type of people who would abandon their own country"? Um, sorry lady. Unless you're of Native American descent, that would include your forebears.

Regarding breaking laws, entering the country "illegally" is a civil misdemeanor. Yeah, it's against the law. So is jaywalking.

Regarding the type of people I don't want to be my fellow Americans, at the top of the list are a-holes like you. Go the fuck back to wherever your ancestors came from, bitch. I'll take the Mexicans anyday.

First of all let me say I dislike Sheriff Arpaio and think he's an ass. Be that as it may, the other sentiment I had while reading this story is as follows... From the comments posted thus far, it would seem that we should do away with visas and green cards all together and just let anyone who wants to to come on in and enjoy the perks of being an American. You people need to realize that the U.S. does not have unlimited resources and can not afford to dole out services to every needy person on the planet. I'm always hearing about these people coming here because they want a better life. Well, I can appreciate that, but not on my tax dollar. I wish people would stop talking about illegal immigrants as if they are helpless and had no other choice other than to break into our country and leech off our services. The type of people who would abandon their own country and have no respect for the laws of the country they wish to make their new home, are not the type of people I want to be my fellow Americans.

I suppose that it could seem like race profiling. After all, most of the illegal aliens in Maricopa County are of Hispanic extraction. As such, they look Hispanic. Too bad. So sad.

If you are here illegally, YOU ARE A CRIMINAL. If you are using a forged or stolen Social Security card, you are committing fraud and/or identity theft and YOU ARE A CRIMINAL. It really is that simple.

If you leave now and come back through legal means, I will embrace you as a fellow resident. I have no problem with legitimate immigrants and count many as friends. Until you do, you are a criminal and should be treated as such.

Steve, Now we are going to expect this kind of quality all the time. Great article. Clearly the most precise and complete coverage of The whole situation. Before anyone ever comments again on Arpaio or immigration, they should read this first.

What a great article, you took us on a ride thru the town of Guadalupe without having to be there to see all the abuse of power by MCSO, it just makes me so angry to see how dirty, low and unprofessional Arpaio and his office conduct their business and the part that makes me sick is I get to pay for his salary.

I really can't understand why this city and state is putting up with this. Most everyone I talk to doesn't understand or understands and wants something done about it. It seems that the Mayors are the only ones that have the rights of Arizona citizens on their minds. This maniac needs to be stopped. Most of us have been involved or know these immigrants that have come here to feed their families and hope to share in the American dream. We know them to be great people and would welcome them to America to live next to us. (They already do)They have added to our great country and I love their culture and beliefs. To have them terrorized in this way is sickening and totally Un-American in every way. America was built by and for immigrants that want a better way of life and if the statue of liberty's inscription was not written for them, then who?

This guy Bernasconi is full of shit. He blasts the Sheriff. Then he blasts one of the few politicians who have stood up to sheriff Joke -- the Mayor of Guadalupe. Bernie needs to get his head out of his ass and stop playing games. Self-important tools like him make his little town look stupid.

Mayor Jimenez, if retards like Bernasconi drive you from office, come on over to Tempe and run for something. I'll vote for you.